Purple coneflowers are a favorite among many gardeners. Known botanically as Echinacea purpurea, this North American native perennial produces colorful magenta blooms in late summer and is a butterfly and bee magnet. While the straight species of this plant is my personal favorite, there are many cultivars and varieties that produce blooms in a broad diversity of colors, including white, yellow, orange, and red. There are many other species of Echinacea too, each of which has its own unique traits. Potted coneflowers are common finds at local nurseries and garden centers, but if you have a large area to fill with these colorful perennials or if you like a good gardening challenge, you might consider growing them from seed instead of purchasing plants. With the right technique, coneflowers are easy to grow from seed. You can collect the seed off of your own plants or the plants of a friend, or purchase coneflower seeds from any number of seed companies. Once you have the seeds, there are a few different methods you can use to improve your chances of success and increase the rate of seed germination. A process called cold-moist stratification is required for seeds of many different perennials to break dormancy. Essentially, many perennials have a hard seed coat and genetic programming that prevents the seeds from germinating at the wrong time (say, during a mid-winter warm spell). The seeds cannot germinate until they have been exposed to a prolonged period of cold temperatures and moist conditions. While the seeds of coneflowers don't require this dormancy-breaking period of cold temperatures in order to germinate like many other perennials do, you will see a great improvement in the germination rates by treating the seeds with a cold-moist stratification. Coneflower seeds exposed to 40 degrees F for about two months show dramatically improved germination rates. To treat coneflower seeds to these conditions, you have a few options. The first is to mix the seeds with some damp sand, put it into a plastic zipper-top bag, and then place the bag into the refrigerator for 8 to 10 weeks. Come spring, plant the seeds either directly into the garden or indoors under grow lights. A second option is to plant the seeds in a container or flat filled with potting soil, water them in, cover the whole thing with a clear plastic bag, and then put the container in the fridge for 8 to 10 weeks. When the critical period passes, pull the container out of the fridge and put it under grow lights in a room that's about 70 degrees. Once the seeds germinate about 10-14 days later, remove the plastic and continue to nurture the seedlings until they're large enough to transplant out into the garden. The final option, which is definitely the easiest, is to simply sow the seeds outdoors in the fall. Plant them where you would like the mature plants to be sited and protect the new planting with a little ring of fencing to keep the critters from finding the seeds. The seeds will naturally be exposed to the right temperatures for the right period of time, and they'll germinate in the spring when they're good and ready. You can try growing coneflower seeds without exposing them to a cold-moist stratification and you'll probably get an OK rate of germination, but by following these tips, 100% germination is an easy target. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser is the author of several gardening books, including "Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden,” "Good Bug, Bad Bug,” and her newest title, "Container Gardening Complete.” Her website is jessicawalliser.com. Send your gardening or landscaping questions to tribliving@tribweb.com or The Good Earth, 622 Cabin Hill Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601.